Save On Your Next Tech Upgrade with These Credit Cards

Note: Some offer details in this article have expired and/or are being changed by the issuer. Appropriate updates will be applied to the article when the changes have been finalized.

We all want the newest tech. But we also want to get the best deal. Unfortunately, the newest devices and technology are rarely discounted. Even if you’re just looking to upgrade to a laptop with the latest chipset or a tablet with a better display, you will have to wait for a holiday sale or the next version to be released to see a price drop. Most techies are savvy enough to search for the best prices, but you may be missing out on steep savings if you’re not using a rewards credit card.

Credit cards can be more than just a convenient way to make a purchase. You can realize real savings in the form of cash back signup bonuses and rewards earnings. They also offer purchase protection coverage benefits that provide more than just peace of mind when you invest in a device.

Key Credit Card Benefits for Tech Purchases

Earn Rewards – Look for cards that allow you to earn cash back or points on every dollar you spend. Some cards also offer a significant cash back signup bonus after you spend a certain amount on the card.

0% APR Offers – Something to consider for big ticket items. Look for cards that offer a 0% introductory APR on purchases. This means that you won’t pay interest on your purchase during the intro period. If you stick to a payment plan, you can pay down the balance on that new laptop before the intro period ends.

It is important to use a credit card responsibly. Staying within your means and not carrying a balance you have to pay interest on will let you see the full benefit of your rewards. Before your next big purchase, consider one of these credit cards:

Flat-Rate Cash Back

While you have the potential to earn big rewards, keeping track of rotating categories and bonus categories isn’t for everyone. Flat-rate cash back cards offer significant rewards earning while simplifying the cash back process.

Chase Freedom Unlimited®

The Chase Freedom Unlimited® card offers the strong consumer protections and an impressive rewards bonus. The Chase Freedom Unlimited℠ offers 1.5% cash back on all purchases. No categories to worry about or opting in necessary, and you can redeem your cash back at any amount. The card also has a $150 signup bonus if you spend just $500 on purchases in the first 3 months of opening your account. The Freedom Unlimited℠ also offers a 0% introductory APR on purchases for 15 months (after that, a variable 17.24%-25.99% applies) and there is no annual fee with this card.

You also have strong consumer protection benefits, like purchase protection, price protection, and extended warranty protection, as well as the Shop Through Chase portal. You can see real-world-savings with this card. For example, say you have your eyes on the new Apple 13.3" MacBook Pro. The starting price of $1,399 is enough to give anyone pause, but, with the $150 signup bonus and 1.5% cash back, buying that laptop on the Chase Freedom Unlimited card could earn you around $170 in rewards.

Citi® Double Cash Card

When it comes to cash back, the Citi® Double Cash Card from Citi, a Credit Cards Explained advertiser, is consistently rated near the top. While the Citi® Double Cash Card doesn’t offer a signup bonus or a 0% intro APR on purchases, it does offer 2% cash back on purchases. You earn an unlimited 1% cash back when you make purchases, and an additional 1% when you pay for those purchases. If you don’t carry a balance and use this as your everyday credit card, you can earn significant rewards, all for no annual fee.

The card also comes with Citi’s strong consumer protection coverage. You get Damage & Theft Purchase Protection on purchases for 120 days from purchase, as well as extended warranty coverage that will add an extra year to the manufacturer’s warranty. The card also comes with Citi Price Rewind, which searches for price drops on your purchases. No need to keep looking for a price drop; Price Rewind searches for you. If it finds a lower price within 60 days of purchase, you may receive the difference in price.

0% Intro APR on Purchases: Citi Simplicity® Card

If your goal isn’t earning rewards, but rather making a big ticket purchase more manageable, you might want to consider the Citi Simplicity® Card from Citi, a Credit Cards Explained advertiser. What the Simplicity® card has going for it is an impressive 18 month 0% intro APR on balance transfers and purchases. Even with the balance transfer fee of 5% or $5 (whichever is greater), you can see big savings over paying interest.

For example, let’s say you’re ready to pull the trigger on a Samsung 55” Class Q7F QLED 4K television, which currently goes for $1,997.99. With the intro APR on purchases, you can spread the payments over 18 months. A manageable $111 a month would see the TV paid off and you wouldn’t pay any interest. By comparison, having just a 13.24% rate over the same period would cost you $463 in interest alone. The key is knowing that you will stick to your budget and make at least the minimum payment on the card. After the introductory period, the APR will be variable 16.24% - 26.24%* (Variable), based on your creditworthiness.

With the Citi Simplicity® Card, there are no late fees, no penalty rate, and no annual fee. The card offers extended warranty coverage, as well as Citi Price Rewind.

Bottom Line

When it comes to tech purchases, having the extra peace of mind of consumer protection coverage is no small thing. Using a credit card responsibly can lead to significant savings and rewards. Understanding your financial situation and the impact of a big tech purchase is key to maximizing your rewards.

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Steven Abrams is a Content Manager at Credit Cards Explained, working exclusively in the credit card space. He has over 20 years of experience as a writer and editor, covering topics from tech industry trends to film industry finance.

Editorial Note: Any opinions, analyses, reviews or recommendations expressed in this article are those of the author's alone, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any card issuer.

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EDITORIAL NOTE

Editorial Note: Any opinions, analyses, reviews or recommendations expressed in this article are those of the author's alone, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any card issuer.

Credit Cards Explained may earn affiliate commissions from our partners on this page. These commissions do not affect how we select, rate, or review products. To find out more, read our complete terms of use.